The Etowah Youth Orchestras will hold its annual auditions in May, hearing students who will be vying for spots in the three orchestras of the after-school ensemble program. Positions are available in the EYO’s two full orchestras – the Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Etowah Youth Philharmonic Orchestra – and the EYO’s intermediate string orchestra, the Etowah String Sinfonia. Acceptance into the EYO’s ensembles and programs is based on each student’s current level of performance ability. All three ensembles will hold auditions for string section members – violins, violas, cellos and basses. The two full orchestras will also have openings for flutes, oboes, clarinets, bass clarinets, bassoons, French horns, trumpets, trombones, percussion and piano for the 2019-2020 season.
“For string players, the EYO provides an additional performance opportunity which helps strengthen and expand the skills being taught in their school orchestra programs,” notes Music Director Mike Gagliardo. He further states, “For wind, brass, and percussion players, the EYO provides a unique musical experience – the prospect of performing in a full orchestra – which presents students with a new and distinctive set of musical challenges.”
Graduating seniors have reflected on what participation in the Etowah Youth Orchestras has meant to them. Sarah Grace Battles, clarinet and piano, Sardis High School, says, “[The] EYO has challenged me as a musician while also giving me the chance to meet new friends and be under the direction of amazing conductors. This program has given me so many different opportunities I wouldn’t have been able to experience otherwise.” Aleesa Parnell, cello, Excalibur Christian School, reflecting on her acceptance audition and first rehearsal adds, “The EYO has been one of the greatest impacts on my life. I vividly remember sitting in my chair, holding my cello, and staring at my music, realizing this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.” Ms. Parnell continues, “The Etowah Youth Orchestras gave me more than just happy memories, best friends, epic music, and a stage to [perform] on; it gave me the push I needed to begin a lifelong career in music.”
Auditions for all ensembles and programs will be held on Saturday, May 18, and on Tuesday through Thursday, May 21-23. All auditions will be held at the Music Center at Temple Beth Israel, located at 761 Chestnut Street in downtown Gadsden. Complete audition information, including all audition requirements and required music, along with the audition registration form, can be found on the EYO website,www.myeyo.org.
The Etowah Youth Orchestras is a project of the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation.
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